Sexual Predators in the Classroom

Antoine

Source

Unions Fail to Protect Our Children

Good morning Breakfastpoppers. Today is Tuesday, January 21, 2014. Our French friend, Antoine the Ant, is extremely disturbed to hear that two powerful teacher's unions are opposed to a bill that would make sure that teacher's backgrounds were thoroughly investigated before they enter the classroom. Please give Antoine a few moments of your time to hear what he has to say,

Bonjour mes amis. Il est moi, Antoine. Your Government Accountability Office ( I kid you not) has suggested that there are potentially hundreds of registered sex offenders working in your nation's schools. I nearly fell off my hill when I heard the news. Your House of Representatives passed legislation that would require complete background investigations in order to ensure that sexual predators were kept away from your children. It sounds like a no brainer to me. Who wouldn't want to see a bill like this enacted? Who would put your children deliberately in harm's way? The National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers are opposed to the bill. They do not want teachers subjected to background checks.

Teacher or Offender?

Source

What's the Problem?

The problem, according to the National Education Association, is the belief on their part that such checks have a huge, racially disparate impact. I know I am a mere ant, but I do have common sense and I do understand language. I feel lost at the moment. Is the NEA suggesting that it would be unfair if more offenders were discovered in one racial group than another? I hate to channel Hillary Clinton, but "what difference does it make?" A sexual offender is a sexual offender, period. This isn't about being politically correct. This isn't about being racially neutral. This is about keeping present and future sexual predators away from your children. Do members of the NEA have children of their own? They appear to be pathetically indifferent to the safety of all children, theirs and yours.

The American Federation of Teachers is no different. The ATF chief, Randi Weingarten, is concerned about possible inaccuracies in the FBI's database. She also voiced concern about inconveniencing the teachers who might experience delays in the hiring process because of screening. It is apparent that the safety of your children mean precious little to these powerful unions. It is clear that common sense and common decency have no place when it comes to unions.

The Bill

Source

What's' In the Bill

The bill takes a very common sense approach to a very dangerous problem. It simply states that anyone with violent or sexual convictions against a child would be ineligible for employment in the schools. Background checks would draw information from the FBI's fingerprint database, and the national and state sex offenders registries. The legislation isn't complicated. Rather it is sensible, straightforward and necessary. The fact that these two very powerful unions think otherwise is cause for alarm. The unions are only concerned about themselves and their members, even if those members are sexual predators. Their concern lies with maintaining ability to wield power. Your children's well-being doesn't enter into the picture.

Unions: Yes or No

Is it Time For Unions to Disband?

Antoine's Point of View

I believe it is time for unions to disband, They have morphed into powerful entities that decide elections, threaten workers into joining and force businesses into terrible financial positions. For an individual, much less a union, to be opposed to a bill that would protect your nation's children is an ugly fact that speaks volumes about their real concerns. They do not want interference from anyone. They would rather sacrifice your kids than expose their members to scrutiny. It's time to kick them to the curb. Let teachers join the real world where hard work is rewarded and poor performance is reason for dismissal. They live in an unreal environment where bad behavior and poor skills have no consequences. Let common sense prevail!

Comments

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Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Good Morning pstraubie48,

I think that common sense is undervalued these days. I just heard about a case where a teacher was accused of sexual misconduct and his colleagues refused to help in the investigation. It is truly unbelievable!

Patricia Scott 4 years agofrom sunny Florida

I completely agree with background checks, race not withstanding.

when I was teaching we had background checks done before we were hired. It only makes good sense. Our children deserve that protection!!!

Angels are on the way to you today ps

Voted up ++++

Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Dear Pamela,

Clearly the welfare of our children is a very low priority. What are teachers so afraid of? Perhaps they are more dangerous than we realize.

Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Good Morning teaches,

The schools behaved and still behave just like the Catholic Church by moving predators to other districts! The welfare of the children doesn't seem to enter into the equation.

Pamela Oglesby 4 years agofrom United States

I couldn't agree with you more about unions needing to disband. They do more harm than good. We do need more checks in place to protect children and anyone with a record of any type of abuse, sexual or otherwise, should not be employed by a school in any position in my opinion. Awesome hub.

Dianna Mendez 4 years ago

We need to have checks in place that will protect children from these predators. They know where to find their victims. I remember when these laws were not so honored. Those who took advantage of the children were rarely disciplined.

Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Good Morning FitnezzJim,

Politically correct people are actually morons!

FitnezzJim 4 years agofrom Fredericksburg, Virginia

The phrase politically correct is an oxymoron.

Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Good Morning b.Malin,

Sorry, but mentioning God is now frowned upon. I thought I was living in America but now I realize that I am living in a mental institution, a very large mental institution. I'll be heading to the Inn on the early side. See you there.

Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Dear b.Malin.

It is probably not correct to mention God, but I say go for it. As for having objections to background checks or proof of citizenship, well shame on all those who hold to this belief. See you at the Inn. I know you are cozy in Florida, but put on your long johns and head for the Inn.

Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Dear FitnezzJim,

I have to look into it further, but I believe each state has different policies. We need one policy to cover the nation.The safety of our children is paramount and the teacher's union should be ashamed of their stance. See you at the Inn. The snow is high and the temperatures are low.

b. Malin 4 years ago

So why am I not surprised? After all you can VOTE without presenting any proof of Citizenship...So heaven for bid, teachers should be background checked...This is TODAY'S world...God help us all...Mmm, wonder if that is Politically correct to say...

Always a Good Hub read Breakfastpops.

FitnezzJim 4 years agofrom Fredericksburg, Virginia

I thought I heard somewhere that employers are no longer allowed to inquire about criminal history on application forms. Is that true? And if so, does it carry implications with respect to employing teachers, daycare helpers, police officers, and such?

Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Good Morning Alicia,

The problem is that logical and and absolutely essential doesn't resonate with the unions. See you at the Inn. Bring a sled!

Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Good Morning Frog Prince,

That will be a hell of a trip downward! See you at the Inn if I can get there!

Linda Crampton 4 years agofrom British Columbia, Canada

This is very strange - and worrying - news, breakfastpop. Where I live, all teachers and anyone else involved with children must have a criminal background check. This seems not only logical but absolutely essential to me.

The Frog Prince 4 years agofrom Arlington, TX

They need to conduct background checks on the NEA hierarchy and let it flow downhill from there.

TFP

Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Dear Pino,

You're right. There are many teachers who don't agree with the union, but in order to survive they must pay the dues which are considerable. I believe that all unions have lost any valid reason to exist. See you at the Inn. It is snowing like crazy. This global warming is ridiculous!

Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Dear Will,

The teacher union behaves the same way as the church. Teachers suspected of predator behavior are sent to other schools. I believe the practice is called "dumping the trash."

Pino Krisio 4 years ago

POP: I live in sunny Florida where we are best at gated communities. In order to live in one, you must get a background check. This is so commonplace here. What about the teachers? Do they want to be working with a pediphile? I doubt it. Apparently they don't have a voice; only their unions. They must give it up when they pay their dues.

I for one believe that the Unions fight so hard because they need tojustify their existence. They fight for anything, just like the severence pay for the teacher who raped a boy, as discussed above. Stay inside where it is warm and not snowy, my friend. See you at the bar.....

WillStarr 4 years agofrom Phoenix, Arizona

The media rightfully screamed when it was discovered that homosexual predator priests were raping young teen boys (although they seldom noted that they were in fact, homosexuals) but they are relatively quiet about teachers doing the same thing, unless it's a female teacher having heterosexual sex with a male student.

The only major media outlet making a big deal about this homosexual rape is FOXNews.

Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Dear CMerrritt,

The kids need their parents to get together and put an end to this insanity once and for all. The union should disappear along with the sexual predators. See you at he Inn. It's snowing!

Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Dear Will,

Absurd is almost a kind work in this instance. That union is despicable. Their position is as contemptible and criminal. See you at the Inn. Bring a dog sled and snow shoes. This global warming is freezing!

Chris Merritt 4 years agofrom Pendleton, Indiana

Absurd is probably the closest word that describes the Teachers Union. Perhaps it is time to start a union for the Children/Students. Though I am against the union mentality, it seems as if the teachers union is in the same footsteps as the UAW is.....and that is simply power, instead of doing what is best for its members.

WillStarr 4 years agofrom Phoenix, Arizona

That union is currently trying to get a $10,000 severance payment for a teacher serving 15-30 years for raping a boy student over a period of three years.

I'll bet parents have no clue about any of this. Our schools are being ravaged thanks to Obama by Common Core and now by unions that prefer sexual predators over children. Mike, I am already one crazy ant! See you at the Inn. Dress warm, the snow is falling!

Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Good Morning Tom,

I wish I thought of that! I would love to run all these card carrying psychos out of town once and for all. See you at the Inn. I will be arriving by sled.

Author

breakfastpop 4 years ago

Good morning billybuc,

I am happy we wrote about the same thing. Being on your wavelength is an honor. See you at the Inn. Wear snow shows!

Old Poolman 4 years ago

Antoine - The words to describe opposition to background investigations on teachers escape me for the moment.

Oh, I have some words of my own that could be used, but not in a public place. Where is the outrage from the parents over this situation? The unions continue to do these things because in most cases nobody says anything to them about it. Wake up parents, these are your children that could be molested.

You might recall several years ago when they found perverts working in Day Care centers? I believe most of these facilities now require background checks on their employees. So why should public schools be exempt.

Antoine, I hope you are not really trying to make sense of many of these decisions made by humans. If you do, you will end up as one crazy ant.

Tom Whitworth 4 years agofrom Moundsville, WV

Pop and Antoine,

Once again the AFT and NEA prove they really aren't interested in race/skin color. They are really interested in GREEN, the color of money with their motto, "Perverts pay dues too!"

Bill Holland 4 years agofrom Olympia, WA

And the insanity continues. I just wrote on this subject today...great minds think alike, yes? Very important message here my friend. Well done!